Improvement in feed-cases for cartridges



MW. 6. FARRINGTUN.

Feed-Case for Cartridges.

NO. 166 4. PatentedAug.24,1875.

DE WITT O. FARRINGTON, OF LOWELL, MASSACHUSETTS.

IMPROVEMENT IN FEED-CASES FOR CARTRIDGES.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 166,92i, dated August "24, 1875; application filed May 27, 1875.

GAsE B.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, DE WITT O. FARRING- TON, of Lowell, Massachusetts, have invented an Automatic Feed-Case, of which the following is a specification:

This invention relates to feed-cases for supplying guns with ammunition, and the mechanism by which they are operated, and is described as follows, reference being bad to the accompanying drawings forming a part of this specification.

Figure 1 represents a feed-case, which may be made from wood, paper, metal, or any other suitable material. It is formed with a solid top, having compartments for the cartridges, as shown at letter A. The partitions B, forming the compartments may not extend to the edge of the case upon one side, which will allow the cartridges to be more closely packed than otherwise. The bottom of the case, letter 0, is fitted into grooves, slots, or guides, allowing it to be readily removed. Upon the lower side is a hook, protuberance, cavity, or other mechanical equivalent, by which it may be withdrawn. This case may be made with any number of compartments, each holding any number of cartridges which may be required. It may be furnished with roughened surfaces, indentations, raised edges, or other equivalent mechanism by which it may be carried or propelled over the hopperor receiver of cartridges in the gun by means of machinery or by hand.

Fig. 2 represents the feed-case as attached to a gun as it may be operated. Letter D represents a platform, either entire or having rollers inserted therein,-upon which the feedcase may traverse, the bottom being withdrawn by the protuberance K or other means. This platform has an opening at E. Letter F is a roll, having points or rough sides which engage the top or side of the feed-case, and when revolved propels it forward over the opening E, allowing the cartridges to fall into the carrier-block M or other receptacle of the gun. G is a geared wheel, by which the roll F is revolved, or it may be moved by an endless chain or other equivalent means.

Fig. 3 represents the feed-case placed upon a platform or carriage, H, which may be made to move over the hopper or carrier-block by a geared Wheel or otherwise.

Fig. 4 represents a modification of the means of operating the feed-case.

The advantages of this feed-case over others are, first, it requires no support after it is placed upon the platform 5 second, it is not so much exposed to the fire of the enemy or accident as is an upright feed-case; third, these feed-cases can be charged much more rapidly than others; fourth, as these feed-cases can be made very cheaply they can be filled with cartridges at the factory, and thrown away when empty, by which the labor of a large number of men in the field charging feedcases, and also the cost of special teed-cases, may be saved; fifth, the trouble and danger of filling feed-cases in the field or at the battery are avoided; sixth, as these feed-cases when filled can be packed in boxes the usual receptacles or magazines for carrying special feedcases are not required seventh, as these feedcases deliver but one cartridge to a barrel of the gun at a time no jamming or clogging can occur, as is frequent with the ordinary feedcase or drum.

Having thus described my feed-case, and the mechanism for operating the same, What I claim as my invention is A box or receptacle for cartridges, provided with compartments or guides to retain the cartridges in place, adapted to be used as a feed-case, and to be passed horizontally over the hopper or receiver of a machine-gun, either by hand or in combination with proper mechanical means, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

DE WITT O. FARRINGTON.

Witnesses C. A. R. DIMON, OHAs. K. FARMER. 

